Wallingford and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell residents protest at plans for 850 homes on Slade End Farm site (From Herald Series)

Wallingford and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell residents protest at plans for 850 homes on Slade End Farm site

10:33am Tuesday 18th August 2009

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PLANS to build 850 homes on the western edge of Wallingford have sparked outrage in the area and nearby Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Prupim, the development arm of insurance company Prudential, wants to build the homes and flats on a site known locally as Slade End Farm, off Wantage Road.

It is one of two plots shortlisted by South Oxfordshire District Council to take 850 new homes allocated for Wallingford in its long- term plan for the district.

Prupim has unveiled its vision for the 30-hectare site, including a north-south link from Wantage Road to Hithercroft, vehicle access from a new junction on the bypass and a new social hub with a shop, pub, crèche and satellite doctors’ surgery. A plot for a primary school is also being considered.

One Wantage Road resident, Steve Teboe, could have a bus-only entrance to the development just yards from his home.

The 48-year-old father of two said: “We already suffer from noise pollution and motorbikes that race around the ring road. There will be more traffic close to my house. I look out my window and see fields at the moment. It’s ludicrous.

“Wallingford is a market town and Prupim are trying to destroy that. There will be about 2,000 extra people living in Wallingford. That’s about a quarter of what is there already.”

People in Queen’s Avenue, Chiltern Crescent and Fir Tree Avenue shared his concerns.

At Brightwell, more than 300 villagers have voiced objections to developing the site, as much of the land falls within their parish boundary.

Adrian Wood, of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Parish Council, said the village would lose its identity and become part of Wallingford.

He said: “Development of the site will decimate the rural feeling of Brightwell. We are going to see Brightwell becoming a suburb of Wallingford. There will be 100 metres between the two.”

Mr Wood also raised concerns about the height of the development and the planned access to the site off the Wallingford bypass.

He added: “The thought of 850 homes on that site is as bad as planning proposals get. What’s the point in having a bypass if there will be entrances off it? It will just be like another road.

“We know new homes are needed, but we want intelligent integration of these homes in Wallingford and the surrounding area.”

Prupim spokesman Nick Webb said good footpath and cycle connections to the town centre would minimise any increase in traffic.

He said: “In addition, we propose to include a regular bus link, which will be of benefit not only to residents of the new homes, but also existing residents.

“Practical concerns such as rainwater run-off will be factored into the landscaping of the site in an attractive manner.”

He said the development would not lead to a merger with Brightwell, commenting: “The bypass provides a clear boundary to the site.”

No planning application has been submitted yet and public consultation will continue in the autumn.

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